ARTICLE IN PRESS

EFFECT OF ZWIEBACK, A CRISP BREAD CONTAINING RED PALM OIL, ON SERUM ANTIOXIDANT AND INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKERS IN WOMEN WITH BENIGN BREAST TUMOURS

RIMBAWAN RIMBAWAN1*; SRI ANNA MARLIYATI1; ANGGA RIZQIAWAN2 and KHAERUL FADLY3

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2026.0002
Received: 17 February 2025   Accepted: 23 October 2025   Published Online: 8 January 2026
ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of replacing margarine with red palm oil (RPO) in Zwieback on serum antioxidant and inflammation biomarkers in women with benign breast tumours. Using a double-blind, randomised controlled trial, 15 participants were divided into a control group (n = 8) and a treatment group (n = 7). The treatment group consumed Zwieback with RPO, providing 5.04 mg/day of β-carotene for eight weeks, while the control group received Zwieback without RPO. Results showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in SOD activity in both groups. A reduction of TNF-α, 8-isoprostane levels, and tumour size (p<0.05) was observed in the treatment group. However, the between-group difference in tumour size was not statistically significant after adjustment. The control group experienced a significant decline (p<0.05) in β-carotene levels. These findings suggest that adequate antioxidant intake, particularly β-carotene, may help maintain serum β-carotene levels and enhance antioxidant capacity. The consumption of Zwieback substituted with RPO may have beneficial effects on oxidative stress and inflammation, which are factors linked to cancer risk.

KEYWORDS:


1 Department of Community Nutrition,
Faculty of Human Ecology, IPB University,
Bogor, West Java 16610, Indonesia.

2 Department of Nutrition Science,
Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro,
Semarang, Central Java 50275, Indonesia.

3 Nutrition Study Program,
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Medan,
North Sumatra 22022, Indonesia.

* Corresponding author e-mail: rimbawan@apps.ipb.ac.id